Sigma Chi Goes Down Under

[Xylochick216]

I think it would be a fabulous idea for a sorority to colonize at the same time.

The one problem I forsee with this is that from my experience, Australian universities tend to be mostly commuter schools with mostly international students living on campus and little extracurricular involvement. Perhaps students would get involved if there was something like this to do, though. I'm hoping it works out

[TSteven]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
My main sticking point was the backing that IHQ could afford to give them. It is hard enough for visits to our Colony in Alaska, and am sure even harder say in Hawaii. This is because of the cost factor and time envolved to keep a check on and work with.

Good point.

I'm sure it will be rough at the start. However, my guess - only a guess - is that the idea would be to continue colonizing at other Australian universities.

As such, more chapters in a geographical area is usually more cost effective (one advisor for multiple chapters etc.) thus should enable the chapters to have better support from IHQ and each other.

[Erik P Conard]

Sagacious Russ of Phi Psi beat me to the fact that Chi Phi had
gone abroad, found in my old Baird's. (Heller gave it to me)
Kappa Sigma Kappa, who was absorbed by Theta Xi (but may
have a few chapters left in various institutions) placed several
chapters....abroad... in 1947 in England, New Zealand and in
Tasmania according to my Baird's; perhaps some of our filberts
can come up with a bit more...enlighten us, do.
Mexico City College, now I think the University of the Americas,
located in Satellite City (Ciudad Satelite), a Mexico City suburb,
might be a good consideration. I am fluent in Spanish and had
detected some interest there in 1962, lots of english-speaking
students and more akin to our type of schools, too.
Interesting...but not cost productive, and even some of us have
been hesitant about chartering in Alaska and Hawaii.
But, why not...better'n Bruce's College of Cosemetology in some
shopping center...LOL
At any rate, what do I know, some ole codger 'bout ready to go
to the Chapter Eternal.....well, not quite.

[hoosier]

Knowing how these things ofter operate, look for many delegations of Sigma Chi national officers and employees to take "inspection" trips, paid for with the UGs dues, to visit the new group.

There may also be some pledgeship topics, since other countries don't have hazing laws. The internet sites for initiations in oher countries are wild, often involving coed and public nudity.

[DeltaSigStan]

There is an Alpha Sigma Phi chapter in the Philippines that USED to be affiliated with their North American Alpha Sigs, but dropped out. They are still Alpha Sigma Phi, but not associated with them.

There is also a national fraternity in the Philippines that has A LOT of chapters, but I forgot the name.

[AGDee]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
At LXA General Assembly this year, this very thing was brought up with interest groups in Mexico and The Phillipines.

My main sticking point was the backing that IHQ could afford to give them. It is hard enough for visits to our Colony in Alaska, and am sure even harder say in Hawaii. This is because of the cost factor and time envolved to keep a check on and work with.

OTW, any thoughts as an AGD is In Hawaii?

While I'm not in Hawaii with OTW, I do know that all of us on the Volunteer Services Team keep offering to go to Hawaii to do leadership training with those women!!!

Our Hawaiian sisters don't get chapter visitors like the chapters in the contiguous 48 do because of the expense.. not because of lack of interested volunteers! They also have to pay a whole lot more cash to get to Convention and The Leadership Conference (regional training held during non-convention years).

Dee

[Coramoor]

I think it's a great concept.

I would love to see Beta chapters in Mexico, South America, or where ever. It would open up a lot of new schools and definitly make greeks stronger as a whole.

[Erik P Conard]

TKE, Beta and Sig Ep, I think, pioneered the U of Hawaii, Manoa.
TKE went on 1 May 1993. Our chapter has struggled and I hear
Beta has, too. At any rate, no cigar for any of us. TKE had a lot
of Hawaiian alums, too, but that did not seem to help. We also
had an interest group at a Honolulu school...good in basketball,
I can't think of name, but it sputtered and folded. Not BYU.
The Alaska outfits remain to be seen...Sig Ep pioneered U of A
in Fairbanks, still struggling. TKE & Beta declined invites. Tri
Sigma at both U of A, Fairbanks & Anchorage. TKE declined the
first invite at Anchorage, but SAE, LXA and Sig Ep now on. Deke
colony there folded. Worth following, though, as I think it will
be a goodie, I think. TKE has huge number of alums, but IHQ thought it not cost effective. Other U of A campus at Juneau but
not strong or large enough, IMHO, to support greek life.
interesting times...and we thought Canadian ones were tough...
Well, the jury is still out....

Originally posted by AGDee
While I'm not in Hawaii with OTW, I do know that all of us on the Volunteer Services Team keep offering to go to Hawaii to do leadership training with those women!!!

Our Hawaiian sisters don't get chapter visitors like the chapters in the contiguous 48 do because of the expense.. not because of lack of interested volunteers! They also have to pay a whole lot more cash to get to Convention and The Leadership Conference (regional training held during non-convention years).

Dee

What my sister said!

When I was a collegian we were fortunate enough to have our own Leadership Advisor in Ronda, so chapter visitors weren't really necessary as we had a wonderful Fraternity resource. Since Ronda graduated, however, we've been lucky to host two LCs and even a IVP! Our counterparts in the 48 don't know how lucky they are to be able to get visitors at a moment's notice.

Don't even get me started on the expenses just getting to Convention/TLCs. But it's all worth it when it's time for Chapter Roll and your initiating chapter's the largest in attendance!

As far as Hawaii fraternities go, Erik was right on it when he mentioned TKE, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Phi Epsilon. They were all started in the late 80s/early 90s and enjoyed their heyday for the next decade or so. I can't remember who closed first or last, but they all folded eventually. Actually I think it was the TKEs who closed last because I remember Ray and some of the other TKE alums had a significant amount of pledges one year, and we had a number of mixers with them. Great bunch of guys. I miss them.

I pledged AGD when the fraternities were slowly dying out. hawaiiagd, who's also on this board, is a better resource for this info. She married a SigEp!

Erik, I think the school you're talking about is Hawaii Pacific University? HPU's always had a strong men's basketball team, so it might be that campus. AFAIK, HPU, Chaminade, and BYU-H are our 4 year colleges, but none have a social Greek system.

My campus has never been strong with Greek Life. Fraternities and sororities (they all pretty much started as ethnic interest groups) have been on campus since the 1920s, and many of these locals are still around, despite their dwindling numbers. Our numbers have always been steady, and generally we tend to have a bigger membership than that of the locals.

It would be great to have another NPC group to come on campus, but sadly I'm being realistic when I say I doubt it'll happen anytime soon. I would love to see the inter/national fraternities come back.

So now, at UH-M there's AGD, 3 (or 4) local sororities, and 2 local fraternities.

[Sister Havana]

Originally posted by DeltaSigStan


There is also a national fraternity in the Philippines that has A LOT of chapters, but I forgot the name.

Alpha Phi Omega has a strong organization in the Philippines. It's a little different there, though...

http://www.apo.org.ph/

[TSteven]

I am speculating here, but if expansion in Australia happens, I would image that it will not be limited to just one or a few campuses. Nor to just one fraternity or sorority for that matter. Basically, I see the possible Australian expansion more along the lines of expansion in Canada. Various campuses and various fraternities and sororities.

And if that were to happen, then I think that in time, an infrastructure (a Greek system as it were) to support chapters in Australia will follow. Again, most likely something similar to the Canadian Interfraternal Conference. As it is now, the CIFC does not supersede either the NPC or NIC but helps to support and promote Greek life in Canada. I would venture to guess that an Australian Greek umbrella organization would work in a similar way.

Of course, any stable Greek system is not going to happen over night, but it has to start somewhere. As such, I see this as an exciting opportunity to further the ideals of our brotherhoods and sisterhoods globally.

[Tom Earp]

TSteven, while well stated about starting somewhere, it is still an economical standard. We all have enough problems getting to Alaska and Hawaii, our Coloiny seems to be growing, but at a slow rate and is just like all of the rest of the GLOs there.

Trying to go on to a Continent such as Australia maybe a great thought, just look and see how far and big that C & C is.

Now "IF" there was a Chapter in each U. there, how far apart are they?

Okay, so, there is a Cordinater for Austrailia, how again economical would that be, and depending on number of Chapters.

We must all remember, that Most Nationals are not Cash Rich, but struggleing as Chapters are.

Mine main thought is let us take care of waht we have in the NAm. Continent before we bite off more than can be chewed and paid for.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
TSteven, while well stated about starting somewhere, it is still an economical standard. We all have enough problems getting to Alaska and Hawaii, our Coloiny seems to be growing, but at a slow rate and is just like all of the rest of the GLOs there.

Trying to go on to a Continent such as Australia maybe a great thought, just look and see how far and big that C & C is.

Now "IF" there was a Chapter in each U. there, how far apart are they?

Okay, so, there is a Cordinater for Austrailia, how again economical would that be, and depending on number of Chapters.

We must all remember, that Most Nationals are not Cash Rich, but struggleing as Chapters are.

Mine main thought is let us take care of waht we have in the NAm. Continent before we bite off more than can be chewed and paid for.

I understand your concern and it is a valid one. That not all fraternities or sororities may have the capital to invest. However, that should not stop those organizations that do have the capital from exploring expansion as they see fit.

Heck, according to the Canadian Greeks web site, only 32 of the NIC members and only 19 of NPC members have at least one chapter in Canada. And in the U.S., not all GLOs have chapters at every college or even in every state or commonwealth. Plainly, where or how GLOs expand is specific to each organization's plan for expansion and how well they are able to execute said plan.

Now in this particular situation, I have confidence that Sigma Chi Fraternity IHQ is well aware of the cost involved. Not only in U.S. dollars but in man power.

From Sigma Chi Fraternity's strategic plan formulated this past May.

Imperative #2: Foster consistent, high-quality undergraduate growth. Sigma Chi will ensure honest, effective recruitment and representation at exemplary North American and international institutions. Additionally, the Fraternity will leverage parental involvement at the undergraduate level.

Having said all this, who knows? There may be zero interest in GLO's in Australia and it will be a bust. But if no one attempts it, then how will we know. And worse yet, GLOs may loose out on the potential for something wonderful and exciting. Expansion outside of North America.

One additional point to consider. If Sigma Chi is looking at establishing chapters outside of North America, then I am sure that other GLO's are looking at this as well.